Social Work

Why Choose Nazareth for Social Work?

Nazareth College has a long-standing legacy of excellence in social work education. Because of this, graduates are highly sought-after by local employers. The program provides social work majors with hands-on experiential learning as well as the knowledge, values, and skills needed for all areas of social work. Field experience opportunities are more extensive than in other programs. Placements occur during the junior and senior years, include both local and global service options, and are available in settings ranging from schools and hospitals to government and community-based grassroots agencies.

Nazareth's social work degree program is flexible, including part- and full-time student enrollment options and evening, online, and summer course offerings. The part-time undergraduate evening program for students with an associate’s degree or equivalent can be completed in three years. Study abroad experiences, including short-term options, are available for students.

Program Highlights

Outcomes are excellent: nearly 100 percent of all Nazareth social work majors are employed, committed to an experience such as the Peace Corps, Americorps, or accepted by a graduate program when they graduate.

The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and the division of Professional Education, New York State Education Department.

Nazareth also offers an accredited M.S.W. social work degree program in collaboration with the College at Brockport. Students may apply for advanced standing and complete the M.S.W. degree in one year.

Program Options

Typical Class Schedule

Program Information

The course plan below is a typical course sequence for a Nazareth social work major and is subject to change if departmental requirements change. You will determine the right classes for your interests with the help of your advisor.

Freshman

2 Electives (Foreign Language recommended)

2 Perspectives - Enduring Questions (P-EQ)

Health/Wellness

Human Biology + Lab

College Writing I & II

Academic and College Success

First Year Seminar

Introduction to Psychology: Social Science

Introduction to Sociology

Introduction to Social Work

Sophomore

3 Perspectives - Enduring Questions (P-EQ)

Integrative Studies (IS) course

Experiential Learning (EL) Pathway

Elective course

Principles of Macroeconomics

Human Behavior and the Social Environment I & II

Human Rights/Social Justice

Junior

2 Integrative Studies (IS)

Core Milestone Experience (CME)

2 Electives

Elementary Statistics

Diversity, Oppression, and Justice

Health/Mental Health

Social Work Research Methods

Social Work Methods I & II/Field Experience I & II

Senior

4 Electives

Social Services and Social Policy

Senior Integrative Seminar

Social Work Methods III

Field Instruction--Practicum

Social Work Comprehensive

Contact Information

Leanne W. Charlesworth

Alumni Spotlight: Kathleen Auberger ’83

Social worker, Unity Health System

“Since leaving Nazareth, I obtained a master’s degree in social work from Virginia Commonwealth University. For the past 22 years I’ve been a professional social worker at Unity Health System, Department of Behavioral Health. I truly believe that the core values and ethics learned at Nazareth were instrumental in allowing me to achieve the current level of leadership that I hold."